Atlanta, Georgia.- Los brillantes reflectores del Super Bowl no deslumbran a los Rams.
Al presentarse el lunes en el Opening Night ante cientos y cientos de representantes de medios de comunicación en el State Farm Arena, los integrantes del equipo angelino desplegaron otra vez esa actitud que el entrenador en jefe Sean McVay gusta describir como "de negocios".
McVay y 10 de sus jugadores fueron presentados entre aplausos para dar inicio al evento que marca la patada inicial a la semana del Super Bowl. Luego apareció el resto del equipo, incluyendo coaches, ejecutivos y hasta porristas. Nadie recibió más aplausos que Todd Gurley, quien es popular en este estado por sus años corriendo el balón con los Bulldogs de la Universidad de Georgia.
Gurley se dio tiempo para bromear al ser entrevistado en su podio por Deion Sanders.
"Le dejé quedarse con su récord (de touchdowns)", dijo Gurley entre risas cuando Sanders le dijo que pensaba que el corredor No. 30 iba a romper el récord de touchdowns de LaDainian Tomlinson en una temporada (31 TDs en 2006). Gurley sumaba 21 antes de perderse los juegos finales de la temporada. "Tal vez el próximo año… "Estoy aquí en el Super Bowl y eso es lo único que vale".
Un momento especial de la noche fue cuando al final de la hora de los Rams con los medios de comunicación, los entrenadores y capitanes de ambos equipos subieron a la tarima para saludarse, y enseguida hubo una breve mesa redonda en la que participaron Sean McVay, Jared Goff y Aqib Talib por Los Ángeles, y Bill Belichick, Tom Brady y Devin McCourty por New England.
Cuando el conductor le preguntó a Brady, quien está en su noveno Super Bowl, qué consejo podía darle a Goff, de 24 años, el legendario quarterback fue tajante: "No le voy a dar ningún consejo. ¿Estás loco?".
Pero Brady, tras la broma, dijo: "Son un gran equipo. Voy a tener que enfrentar toda la noche (Aqib Talib). Eso es lo que me tiene preocupado. Sé la clase de jugador que es. Tienen una gran defensa, la mejor línea defensiva de la liga, a dos de los mejores jugadores para interceptar pases que haya habido (Talib y Marcus Peters). O sea que tengo trabajo por hacer".
Belichick elogó a McVay y a los Rams, diciendo que es un equipo muy bien entrenado, y McVay expresó admiración por la consistencia de Belichick al mando de sus Pats. El coach carnero recién había confirmado que Belichick le envió un mensaje de texto después del juego de la semana 4, una victoria sobre los Minnesota Vikings, y que mantuvieron comunicación a lo largo de la temporada.
Los tres representantes de cada equipo luego posaron con el Trofeo Vince Lombardi y un grupo niños locales. Hubo mucha cordialidad y sonrisas. Será distinto el domingo.
Relive moments with the Los Angeles Rams from Opening Night of Super Bowl LIII.
Defensive end (94) John Franklin-Myers Defensive tackle (69) Sebastian Joseph-Day of the Los Angeles Rams attend Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive tackle (93) Ndamukong Suh of the Los Angeles Rams enters the arena for Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams enters the arena for Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Wide Receiver (83) Josh Reynolds of the Los Angeles Rams attend Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive lineman (90) Michael Brockers of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive tackle (69) Sebastian Joseph-Day of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive lineman (90) Michael Brockers of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Outside linebacker (50) Samson Ebukam of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams attend Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Cornerback (47) Ramon Richards interviews teammate Cornerback (32) Tory Hill of the Los Angeles Rams during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Tight end (89) Tyler Higbee of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Wide Receiver (17) Robert Woods of the Los Angeles Rams enters the arena for Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Long Snapper (44) Jake McQuaide of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Cornerback (32) Tory Hill of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams attend Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Punter (06) Johnny Hekker of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive end (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Head Coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams enters the arena for Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kicker (04) Greg Zuerlein of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Offensive tackle (77) Andrew Whitworth of the Los Angeles Rams enters the arena for Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive end (95) Ethan Westbrooks of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive end (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Offensive guard (64) Jamil Demby of the Los Angeles Rams attend Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Wide Receiver (13) Austin Proehl and Defensive back (27) Isaiah Johnson of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams attend Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Offensive tackle (77) Andrew Whitworth of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Wide Receiver (17) Robert Woods of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Outside linebacker (50) Samson Ebukam of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Center (66) Austin Blythe of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Offensive tackle (77) Andrew Whitworth of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities being watched by his son. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive tackle (93) Ndamukong Suh of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Offensive Guard (79) Rob Havenstein of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Wide Receiver (83) Josh Reynolds of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Wide Receiver (13) Austin Proehl and Defensive back (27) Isaiah Johnson of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams attend Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams attend Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams enter the arena for Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams enter the arena for Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Wide Receiver (18) Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams attend Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Cornerback (47) Ramon Richards interviews teammate Cornerback (32) Tory Hill of the Los Angeles Rams during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Cornerback (22) Marcus Peters of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams attend Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Offensive tackle (77) Andrew Whitworth of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Wide Receiver (17) Robert Woods of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Center (55) Brian Allen of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Head Coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Outside linebacker (50) Samson Ebukam of the Los Angeles Rams is interviewed during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams enters the arena for Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive lineman (90) Michael Brockers of the Los Angeles Rams enters the arena for Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Cheerleaders of the Los Angeles Rams perform during Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams attend Opening Night at State Farm Arena for Super Bowl LIII festivities. The Los Angeles Rams face off versus the New England Patriots. Monday, January 28, 2019, Atlanta, GA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Culminación de siete años
Un pateador de despejes normalmente no recibe tanta atención de la prensa, pero con Johnny Hekker es distinto. Uno tras otro, los reporteros nacionales e internacionales se formaban para disparar preguntas en dirección del pateador que se ha ganado reconocimiento por su versatilidad y habilidad para lanzar pases.
Hekker compartió la satisfacción de que los equipos especiales, específicamente el pateador de lugar Greg Zuerlein y y el centro largo Jake McQuaide, hayan sido directamente responsables de que los Rams se encuentren en Atlanta.
"Con Greg y Jake hemos estado a cargo de la misma operación de goles de campo ya por siete años, y tener esa camaradería significa mucho para mí, realmente te ayuda a ser más exitoso", dijo Hekker. "Greg ha tenido que pasar por muchas situaciones a lo largo de su carrera para llegar a estos momentos, poder ponernos en el Super Bowl con una patada. No puedes soñar con cosas como esa".
Zuerlein, en el otro extremo de lo que normalmente es la cancha de los Atlanta Hawks de la NBA, respondía a un reportero de televisión internacional que le preguntaba acerca de sus conocimientos sobre futbol mexicano.
"Chivas… América… ¿Boca Juniors?", dijo el héroe de la final de la NFC, antes de ser corregido por el reportero –Boca es por supuesto de Argentina–. "Me gusta el futbol mexicano, excepto cuando juegan contra nuestra selección nacional".
Elogia a su quarterback
Robert Woods, uno de los 10 jugadores de los Rams que se sentaron en podios para responder a la prensa, recordó que cuando era niño jugaba al beisbol antes de descubrir el futbol americano, pero subrayó que cuando empezó a correr en la pista de atletismo su juego se elevó al desarrollar su habilidad atlética. Ahora, el receptor No. 17 está en el Super Bowl como el receptor preferido de Jared Goff.
"Muy, pero muy confiado", dijo cuando se le pidió describir el grado de confianza que tiene en su quarterback. "En el Juego de Campeonato estuvimos abajo todo el tiempo, dirigió una serie de los dos minutos finales para empatar. Nos puso en posición de llegar a este punto. Ha jugado con gran aplomo durante todo el año, siendo nuestro líder, un líder joven, pero lo mejor ha sido su aplomo".
Mientras las estrellas de los Rams atendían a los medios con innumerables preguntas de todo tipo, y las porristas se atrevían a comer chapulines mexicanos que les daba una reportera, jugadores menos mencionados del equipo disfrutaban con calma de la noche.
"La estoy pasando muy bien con mis compañeros", dijo el guardia Austin Blythe, uno de esos héroes anónimos, resumiendo el grado de tranquilidad y enfoque de los Rams.
